Printing apparatus



March 11, 1952 H. H. HILLMER ETAL 2,588,385

PRINTING APPARATUS Filed Aug. 1. 1947 5 sheets-snee*u 1 0 fz 6 66 66./sle f /0 n 2a `Imventcnc @wat Bg y Gttorneg March 11, 1952 Filed Aug.l, 1947 H. H. HILLMER ET AL PRINTING APPARATUS 5 Sheets-Sheet 2(Ittorncy March 11, 1952 H. H. HILLMER ET AL 2,588,385

PRINTING APPARATUS Filed Augl. 1947 5 Sheu-:fts-SneefI 3 v im znven,Fig.

aforneg March l1, 1952 I H H. HILLMER- T AL 2,588,385

PRINTING *APPARATUS :238 M0 Fig.12. 2%@ M3222 Gttorneg MarCh 11, 1952 H.H. HILLMER ETAL 2,588,385

PRINTING APPARATUS Filed Aug. l, 1947 5 Sheets-Sheet 5 Patented Mar. 11,1952 PRINTING APPARATUS Herman H. Hillmer and Henry P. Or'ent, Omaha,

Nebr., assignors to Printing Engineers Incorporated, Omaha, Nebr., acorporation of Nebraska Application August 1, 1947, Serial No. 765,400

3 Claims.

This invention relates to contact printing machines and moreparticularly it is an object of the invention to provide a printingmachine particularly adapted for accurately reproducing a single imageor group of images from a film, plate, or the like into a plurality ofpositions on an image-receiving film, plate or the like.

Machines of the general type described, are referred to in the art asstep-and-repeat machines and employ two oppositely disposed holders forreceiving printing material, one of the holders being movable withrespect to the other so that a single image from material on one of theholders can be reproduced' in a plurality of positions on the materialon the other holder by successive exposure steps. It is very importantin such a progress that the images be reproduced with accuracy inpredetermined positions so that there is no waste of material.

This application includes the frame structure of the printing machin-eand the reciprocating carriages, the copending application with theSerial No. 74,323 includes the step and repeat structure with thesupport lowering and carriage locking means, the copending applicationwith the Serial No. '74,324 includes the punch structure and nlmpositioning elements, and the copending application with the Serial No.74,810 includes the lamp housing and vacuum producing means.

Particular difculty has been found in two color printing with prior artmachines since great accuracy of operation is required to register animage of one color within an image of another color withoutobjectionable overlapping. Overlapping is similarly undesirable althoughnot as noticeable in one color printing.

Machines of the prior art have employed micrometer screws, and the likein an attempt to facilitate the proper positioningv of the holders.Considerable waste has been occasioned in their use, however, since thefactor of human error is involved.. Additionally, such micrometer screwsbecome imperfect through wear.

A further disadvantage of prior art machines has been the relativelycrude methods used for attaching printing positives and negatives to therespective holders. Pressure sensitive tape,V cementitious material, andpaste have been employed with attendant loss of time and with wasteresultant from inaccuracy.

It has been especially difficult and almost impossible with machines cfthe prior art to truly position a film upon a holder at times when a twoor three color reproduction is required. An-

2 other disadvantage of such machines has been the employment of avertically disposed plate or holder to which it is especially diiiicultto accurately attach lm.

It is therefore, an object of the present invention to provide a machinewhich is so constructed that accurate results may be obtained therefrom.

A particular object of the invention is to provide a machine asdescribed having the accuracy of operation required to register an imageof one color within an image of another color without objectionableoverlapping.

Another object of the invention is to provide a machine as describedwhich employs iilm holders which are normally horizontally disposeddui-lne use.

A further object of the invention is to provide a machine as describedemploying vacuum as a more ecient means to' secure printing material tothe oppositely disposed holders thereof.

Still another object of the invention is to provide a machine forreproducing an image in a plurality of positions which employs detentswhich may be accurately spaced apart prior to operation and which arenot as susceptible to inaccuracy, due to wear, as devices of the prior Astill further object of the invention resides in the provision of amounting for pivotally and slideably carrying one of the holders of theinvention in a manner, whereby the holder can be swung from a horizontaluse position to a vertical position for facilitating the placing of asheet of printing material thereon.

Yet another object of the invention is to provide a machine asdescribed, one of the holders of which is particularly mounted in amanner adapted to compensate for other inaccuracies and for varyingthicknesses of lms, plates and the like, to cause oppositely disposedones of the latter, when in use with the invention, to be pressedagainst each other for preventing light from entering therebetween.

Yet another object of the invention is to provide a method of and meansfor accurately and quickly placing image-bearing printing material uponone of the holders of the invention.

Other and still further objects and advantages of the invention willbecome apparent from the following detailed description of a preferredembodiment thereof.

In the drawings:

Figure 1 is a front elevation of the machine,

Figure 6 is an edge view of the detent shown Y in Figure Figure 7depicts a fragmentary portion of a vacuum connection for a photographicpositive holder employed, the said connection being employed for causingphotographic material to adhere to a fiat surface;

Figure 8 is an enlarged detail of a portion of the new device andshowing a locking dog which is cooperative with the detent members suchas are shown in detail in Figures 5 and 6;

Figure 9 is a front elevation view of the parts shown in Figure S asseen from the right-hand side thereof;

Figure 10 is a view-in-section of a lamp-housing employed together withadjunct parts of the latter and portions of the frame being broken away;the view being taken along the line lll- I0 of Figure 13.

Figure 11 is a view-in-section taken along the line II-II of Figure 10of one of four compensating devices employed for causing a photographicnegative secured to the lamp-housing, to become truly positioned and inlight excluded contact with a film plate employed;

Figure 12 is a top plan view of the lamp-housing shown in Figure 10,together with adjunct parts thereof;

Figure 13 is a view-in-section of the lamphousing Vand attached adjunctparts as seen along line Iii-I3 of Figure 10;

Figure 14 is a top plan view of a film punching device employed; Y

Figure 15 is a view-in-section taken along the line I5-I5 of Figure 14;and

Figure 16 is a fragmental side view of the punch of Figure 14.

TheY printing machine of this invention includes a frame or support I0,mounted upon suitable legs I2. The frame I is preferably provided withan elongated platform top having a plurality, preferably two, parallelspaced apart tracks, guides or rails I4, mounted thereon. The tracks orrails I4, are preferably in the form of rounded tubular pipes and aresupported in blocks or shims I6.

Above the rails or tracks I4, a second pair of rails I8 are disposed ina position transverse and at a right angle with respect to the rails I4.The tracks I8 are maintained in spaced apart parallelism by two suitablesupporting brackets 2i). The latter are disposed transversely withrespect to the second pair of tracks IB, one at each end thereof andpositioned therebeneath. The brackets are each provided with anelongated mid-section and a grooved, transversely disposed, end portion22 for receiving the tracks I8.

Disposed beneath and attached to each of the end portions 22 of thebrackets 2G, one of four roller supporting brackets 24 are provided.Each of the roller brackets 24, on the left-hand side of the machine,are provided with two rollers 26 mounted on suitable axles for bearingagainst the corresponding track I4. Only one vertically disposed roller2B is mounted on each of the right hand roller brackets 24, that oneroller being maintained in alignment with the top of the right-handtrack I4 by the provision of two inclinedly disposed rollers Z6 on Veachof the left-hand roller brackets 25.

As thus described, the second rails I8 are slideably mounted on thefirst rails 4 anddisposed at a right angle with respect thereto formovement only in directions in alignment with the latter. The brackets2U, the end portions 22, and the rails I8 form a carriage for thesupport of a later described platform.

Above the upper rails I8 a horizontally disposed platform or holder 28is provided for purposes later described. Beneath the holder plate 28suitable brackets 35 and 32 are secured by means of bolts 34 and 36,respectively. The brackets 30, which are disposed toward the forwardside of the machine as shown in Figure l, are each adapted to support asingle rotatably mounted roller 45, which latter is adapted to rotate ina plane in an alignment with the corresponding upper track I 8. Therearward brackets 32 are each provided with two inclinedly disposedspaced apart rollegl 42, rotatably secured on suitable axles to thebrackets ,'32 in positions for engaging the rearward upper track I8. Thepurpose of the rollers and 42 and the brackets 3l? and 32 is to supportthe plate or holder 28 in slideable relationship with respect to theupper track I8.

As best shown in Figures 8 and 9, a detent supporting rod 44 is disposedin parallelism with the right-hand lower rail or track I4, on the outerside thereof. The rod 44 is supported alongside the adjacent track I4 bymeans of a pair of suitable brackets 45 which are attached to the saidadjacent track by means of suitable bolts 48. The brackets 46 aredisposed at each end of the rod 44 and are attached thereto by means ofsuitable removable bolts 5S. vEach of the bolts 58 is disposed in avertical position and is provided with a rogose head 52, so that thebolt 50 may be easily tightened or released by hand. i

At their lower end the bolts 52 are each provided with a threadedportion 54 of lesser diameter. The portions 54 are adapted to extendthrough apertures 56 in respective flattened extensions 58 at the endsof the rod 44. The extensions 58 rest upon the upper horizontal suruface of the bracket 46 and a threaded recess 60 is provided through eachof the latter for the receipt of the lower end of the bolt 5S.

As thus described, each of the bolts 5l] are provided with a shoulder E2at the upper end of the smaller diametered threaded lower portion 54 andthe shoulders 52 are adapted to compress the extensions 58 against theflat upper surfaces of the brackets 46. A

The rods 44 are provided with an outstanding ridge 54 extendinglongitudinally thereof and protruding preferably from the upper sidethereof. The rods 44 are preferably of circular shape in cross-sectionwhile the attached ridge 64 is of rectangular shape.

A plurality of like detents are arranged in a row and are each adaptedto be disposed upon the rod The latter are best shown in Figures 5 and 6and are provided with approximately yoke or IJ-shaped main body portionsas shown of generally rectangular shape in side elevation. The mainbodyportions are eachprovided -Witha circularrpassageway E8 extendingtherethrough for-,receiving the :rod 44 and the passageway 68 is incommunication with a notch orkerf 10 provided in the uppermost or otherportion of the wall thereof,A corresponding to the position of the ridge64.

vThe kerfs 'l0 are co-extensive with the passageways 68 Vand are for thepurposevof snugly receiving the ridge 64 for maintaining the detents 66upright upon the rod 44.

The lower end of l each of the detents 66 -is bifurcated by means of asuitable slot 112 which extends inwardly to the passageway 68. Asuitable aperture '14 is provided extending entirely through thebifurcated end of each of the detents 86 ina direction transverse withrespect to the ,axis Aofthe passageway 68. The walls of that portion ofthe aperture 'i4 which isin the righthandsection of the bifurcated lowerend of each detent 66, as shown in Figure 5, are threaded, while thewalls of the left-hand lower end, as shown, are not threaded. Theextreme lefthand end of the aperture 'I4 is provided with a portion oflarger diameter than the remainder of the aperture 14.

As thus described the detents 65 are each formed having an open centerbounded on two sides by two outwardly extending arms having ends whichextend beyond and on either side of the rod 64.

Received in the apertures 74 is a suitable screw I6 and the latter isprovided with a rectangular notch 18 in the vright-hand end thereof, asshown in Figure 5, so Vthat a key of rectangular cross-section may beinserted therein for rotating the screw 16 to draw the bifurcated lowerends of the detents 66 together about the rod 44. ri"he left-hand end ofthe screw 79, as shown in Figure 5, is not `threaded andis'providedfwithy a shoulder 'I5 of larger diameter than the remainderof the bolt 7S and of larger diameter than the adjacent smallerdiametered portion of the aperture '14. At times -when the 4screw 'I4 isrotated, the bifurcated lower ends of the detents 6d will :be drawn,together or permitted to spring apart.

The upper ends of each of the detents 66 are provided 4with twopreferably integral nibs 86. The latter are oppositely disposed andspaced apart with respect to each other, having oppositely disposedparallel surfaces -82 at their lower ends. At their upper ends, theoppositely disposed portions of the nibs 80 are beveled away from eachother as indicated at 84.

`At times when the detent members 66 are disposed upon therods 44' andthe screws F6 vare in proper adjustment, Ythe vertically Vdisposed sidesof thedetents 6G will be truly parallel and vertical so vthat thedetente may be accurately spaced apart by means of insertingtherebetween perfectly machined spacing blocks, not shown, and, bytightening the screws i6, the detents 68 are xed in permanent spacedrelation with respect to each other. A set vor plurality of such spacingblocks may be kept adjacent the machine fer quickly and accuratelyspacing the detents .63 apart various distances as is desirable forpurposes later described.

A supporting rod 86 is attachedrespectively to each of a pair ofverticalextensions 91, of the brackets22'at the right-hand side of the machine.The supporting rod 86 is best'shownin Figure 9 and is disposed parallelwith and above the righthand one of the tracks I4. A pair or suitablescrews Y88 are'emp-loyed at each end of each of the arm-shafts or rods86 for attaching the. latter to the brackets24. At their upper ends eachof 'the vertical extensions 81 Aare secured to the .corresponding rollersupporting brackets 24'by means of suitable bolts 9D.

At one end of the supporting rod 86 a bifurcated arm 92 is rigidlysecured thereto for rotation with the rod 86. lThe arm 92 is adapted toextendinwardly from the right-hand side of the rod 86 and the bifurcatedinner ends of the arm 92 are apertured for receiving a pin 94, to whicha shaft 9&5 is pivotally secured. The shaft 96 is provided with a ball98 secured thereto, in spaced relation with respect to the pin 94.

The tall Q8 is adapted to be received in a socket i in an L-shapedsocket bracket 62. The socket bracket It? is provided with a horizontalportion rigidly secured in any suitable manner to one of the right-handend portions 22 of the track-supporting bracket 26. The L-shap-ed socketbracket 02 has a vertically disposed porticn extending downwardly fromand secured to the horizontal portion and securely attached thereto.

The lower end of said vertically disposed bracket portion is biiurcatedfor providing a slot, the upper end of which is shown at dotted lines inFigure 8 at 64. The slot .64 extends from the bottom of the verticallydisposed socket bracket portion upward through and past the well H19.

The purpose of the slot |64 is to receive the inward end of the shaft 96and to permit the inward end of the shaft 93 to swing in a verticalplane at times when the ball 98, which is concentric with the shaft 96,is disposed in the well iil on the outer or right-hand side of thevertically disposed portion of the socket bracket portion |62.

A coiled ycompression spring 66 is disposed on the shaft 96 between theball $8 and a collar |08 having a set screw l 99. The collar l D8 issopositioned on the shaft 96 with respect to the ball 9d that when thearm 92 and the pin 94 are in an up position or in a down position withrespect to a direct line between the well i and the bolts 96, the springi will tend to hold the arm 25 in such a position.

A dog including a locking dog arm H9 is provided. adapted to swing in avertical plane for cooperation vwith the detent G6 and the latter isrigidly secured about the rod S6 at its inner end by means oi aset-screwor bolt l i2 as best shown in Figure 9.

At the outer end of the locking dog arm H9, the locking dog is providedwith a tab i i4 which is secured to the under side thereof by means of asuitable screw H6. The tab H4 is provided with a lower end ofrectangular shape in horizontal cross-section, the width of said lowerend corresponding to the spacing of the vertically dispos'd parallelwalls 82 of the nib 38. The tab H4 tapers outwardly at its upper endcorresponding' to the inclined upper oppositely disposed walls S4 ofVthe nibs 89. At its outer' end the locking dog arm H9 extends beyondthe tab l le suniciently for providing a handle so that the operator mayswing the tab H4 inte and out of engagement with the detent 65 againstthe ac tien of the spring |06.

As best shown in Aligures l and 2, a lsecond detent supporting rod I 2dis disposed in parallelism with and spaced outwardly trom the outerupper track i3. The rod iZl is similar in all respects to the detentsupporting rod 44 and is lprovided with flattened ends 122 similar totheattened ends 58 of the rod 44. The rods 44 and |20 are bothnon-roundand are provided with longitudinal ridges similar to the ridge04. The rod |20 is mounted upon a pair of suitable brackets |24, andheld in position thereon by means of suitable set-screws |26 which areidentical in all respects with the set-screws 50. The brackets |24 are,in turn, secured to the bottom of the forward upper track I8 by means ofsuitable bolts |21. Mounted in spaced relation upon the rod |20 are aplurality or row of detents |30 having tightening bolts ISI, and thelatter are similar in all respects to the detents 56 and are disposed ata right angle thereto.

The rods 44 and |20 are both provided with at least an elongated centerportion thereof of a uniform cross-section for receiving detentsslideably thereon.

A'second locking dog including a second locking dog arm |32 is providedhaving a tab |34 for engaging the detents |80 and the arm |32 is similarin all respects to the arm H0. At its rearward end the arm |32 isrigidly secured to a suitable arm shaft |34 and the latter is rotatablymounted in suitable brackets |36 to the under side of the holder 28.

Also secured to the shaft |34 is a bifurcated arm |38 which is pivotallysecured at its rearward end to a rod |40, having a coiled springdisposed thereabout, and a ball |42 rigidly secured thereto, the latterbeing adapted to be engaged in a suitable well, in a well supportingbracket |46.

The rod |40, ball |48 and adjunct parts are similar in all respects tothe ball 98 and rod 00 and associated parts. The purpose of the arm |38and spring |42 is to maintain the locking dog arm |32 in an engagementwith .the detents |30 as later described.

The lower holder 28 is of rectangular shape in plan, as shown in Figure2. The upper surface of the holder 28 is provided with a channel |41 ofrectangular shape in plan and of triangular shape in cross-section. Thechannel |41 follows the perimeter of the holder 28 and is inwardlyspaced therefrom.

As best shown in Figure 7, two or more vparts |48 are provided extendingthrough the holder 28, the lower ends of the part |48 being incommunication with hoses |49 through suitable couplings |50. The parts|48 are preferably disposed at opposite sides of the channel |41. Thehoses |49 are each attached to a valve |5| which is in turn incommunication with a vacuum tank as later described.

The purpose of the vacuum channel |41 is to secure a piece ofimage-receiving printing material |52, usually positive, to the flatupper surface of the lower holder 28 by opening the valve |I andpermitting a vacuum to be drawn on the plate |52 through the channel|41.

Above the lower platform or holder 28 an upper holder having a flatunder surface |54 is provided, as best shown in Figure 10. The upperholder is for the purpose of receiving a sheet of image-bearing printingmaterial |53, disposed against the flat translucent underside |54thereof, the material |53 usually being a negative film.

The underside |54 of the upper holder is composed preferably of a pieceof translucent material such as plastic or glass normally disposed in ahorizontal position, in parallelism with the upper surface of theplatform or holder 28. The plastic or glass piece is provided withoutwardly and upwardly beveled edges. The piece of glass |54 is disposedbeneath and against the underside of a preferably rectangular annular'glass holder |56, and the latter is provided with a vertically extendingrectangular ange |58 of lesser size in outer dimension than the innerwalls of a later described rectangular normally vertically disposedlamp-box generally indicated at |00, so that the flange |58 is slideablydisposed within the lower end of the latter, forming a bottom to the box|60, together with the glass plate |54.

The plate |54 is held in place against the flat lower side of the holder|56 by means of a rim |62, of rectangular shape in plan, which is`'laton its upper and lower sides and inwardly pointed on its inner edge |84.The inclined upper surface of the pointed edge |54 is complemental tothe beveled outer edge of the glass plate |54 and is adapted to bearupwardly against the latter to hold the plate against the holder |56,since the rim 52 is attached by any suitable means to the horizontallydisposed main body portion of the holder |56.

The lower surface of the pointed edge |64 is inclined away from thebeveled edge of the glass plate |54 for forming a channel or passageway|86, of triangular shape in cross-section and of rectangular shape inplan. As best shown in Figure 13, the holder |58 is provided with twoopenings |68 extending inwardly from the opposite sides thereof.

The openings |58 are in communication with the channel or passagewaythrough suitable ports |10. Attached by means of suitable couplings |1Ito the outer end of the openings |08 are two vacuum hoses |12. Thepurpose of the vacuum hoses |12 is to place the notched passageway |88in communication with a later described vacuum pump for drawing a vacuumon the passageway |60 to cause the negative film |53 to adhere to theglass plate |54 during operation.

As best shown in Figure 13, a pair of round spaced apart pins |15 areremovably received in two circular recesses |16, which latter extendinwardly of the bottom of the glass plate |54. The recesses |16 aredisposed on the forward side of the rim |62, as shown in Figures 10 and13, so that at times when the box |80 is tilted upwardly into ahorizontal position as later described, the pins |15 will be positionedon the upper side of the rim |62 and protrude forwardly therefrom, forfacilitating the positioning of a photographic negative on the glassplate |54.

The holder |56 is provided with four outstanding ears I1b` extendingoutwardly in a horizontal direction adjacent each corner thereof, asshown in Figure 10. The ears |16 are provided with suitable apertures|18, vertically disposed therethrough, for receiving the heads |80 offour bolts |82. The apertures |80 are of a larger diameter at theirlower ends than at their upper ends and a collar |84 is provided at theupper end of each of the apertures |18, for restricting the latter andfor forming a suitable shoulder |86 for preventing the passagetherethrough of the heads |80 of the bolts |82.

The main Shanks of the bolts |82 extend vertically through suitablevertically disposed openings 88, in each of four lugs 80. The latter arerigidly secured to each of the corners of the rectangular box |00 insuch positions that the openings |88 are in vertical alignment with theopenings |18. The bolts |82 each extend upwardly through the openings|88 and into a restricted upper portion |02 of the latter, therestricted vortices 19.2. being for the purpose` .0f praising suitableshoulders |94 for bearing againstthe adjacent shoulders of the bolts|82, the said-shoulders being formed between the main body portion ofthe bolts |82 and an upper, threaded, bolt portion of lesser diameter.

The threaded portions of theboltsl |82 extend upwardly through each ofthe lugs |29 and are provided with nuts |98 for the purpose of drawingythe shoulders of leach of the bolts |82 against the shoulders |94 ofthe lugs |99 so that the bolts-|92 are maintained in rigid normallyvertical positions.

The purpose of the bolts |82 is to secure the holder 55 to the box |65and a coiled compression spring |09 is provided on each of the bolts i82for bearing against the shoulder |94 and the collars |84 to urge theholder |56 downwardly from the box |50 during operation. This is tocause the negative printing film |53 to be in tight-engagement with apositive photographic plate, which is placed during operation upon thetop Vof the lower holder 28, despite variances in thicknesses of thepositive and negative plates and despite possible mechanical defects.

The inner side of the side walls 22d of the box |60` are provided with asuitable notch 232 of generally rectangular shape in cross-section asVwell as in plan View. The notch 222 is` for receiving and supporting apiece of frosted glass 204. Any other material may be used inl place offrosted glass as long as it fulfills the purpose of diffusing light,from later described bulbs 295,1 evenly over the glass plate |54.

A source of light is provided including one or more light bulbs 296,suspended by meansof suitable standards 293 from the top 2|@ ofthe boxlet. At-their lower ends the standards 228 are xed to asupporting-platform 2li. The latter' is in` turn provided with aplurality of suitable sockets 2M extending downwardly therefrom andsupported thereby. Bulbs of various sizes may be placed within thesockets 214, as is illustrated in Figure l by the comparatively smallersize of other bulbs 2|6. The satisfactory use of light bulbs of varioussizes is made possible through the light diffusing properties of thefrosted glass plate 264.

Each of" thev sockets 2|4` is placed in cornmunioation by meansof-suitable wires 2|S and- 2|9 with a suitable source of electricalenergy, not shown. The main current supplying wires 2| 9 extend upwardlyfrom the wires 2|3Y and through a-suitable insulator 22| on-the top 2|of thebox |69.

On its rearward side, the box 50' is provided with two normallyvertically disposed guides 229. The latter are positioned at each sideof the rearward wall of the box i 59 and are secured thereto by means ofsuitable bolts 222. The oppositely disposed edges of the guides 220 arenormally vertical and are beveled towards each other at their outer orrearward ends for complemental engagement with the beveled edges 224 ofa pair of vertically disposed guide-tracks'229; The latter are, in turn,secured byV means of suitable boltsto avertically disposed plate 230.

As best shown inl Figuure 13, a bar 22'! is-attached by bolts 229 to oneside of the box |60 adjacent to and overlapping the outer side of therearward wall thereof. The bar 229 is for threadedly receiving setscrews 23| which are in positions for bearing against one of the guidesv225 to force'the same into closer engagement with the-adjacentguide-tracks 226.

At its upper end the plate23 is secured by* means `of suitable bolts 232to a horizontallydisposed bar 234 which is rounded at its outer ends forpivotal receipt in suitable apertures 233 in a pair of pillow blocks298. Thus the lamp box |59 and upper holder are permitted to swing orpivot through a vertical plane transverse to the .parallel horizontalplanes defined by the upper side of the platform 28 and the lower side|54 of the upper holder during use.

The pillow blocks 23S are in turn secured by means of suitable bolts 249to a 'vertically disposed face-plate 242'. The face-plate 24| isattached by means' of four horizontally disposed spaced apart pegs 242to a vertically disposed face-plate 243. The face-plate 243 extendssideways of the machine a distance to slightly greater than thetransverse width of the lamp box |59. At its under side, the face-plate24S is welded or otherwise suitably secured to a rectangular supportingframe 244, best shown in Figures 2 and 4, and at its sides theface-plate.

The supporting frame 244 is ,preferably formed of angle iron and is ofelongated rectangular shape in top-plan view. The frame 244 is providedwith two transverse angle irons 245 extending" from the front to theback at each end thereof. The latter are in turn supported upon fourspaced apart suitable posts 2453 which extend vertically downwardly fromthe angle irons 245.

In order to move the lamp-housing a vertical direction and withoutswinging it and'for purposes later described a lever 24'? is preferablyemployed. The lever 24'l is swingable in a vertical plane and the lowerend thereof is rigidly attached to a shaft 245 by means of a collar 249having a set-screw extending therethrough.

As best shown in Figure 13, the shaft 248 extends through two spacedapart pillow blocks 249. The latter are attached by means of bolts 259or of other suitable keepers to the'rear closed wall of the lamp-housing|59 as best shown in Figure' 13. A cam or collar 25i, as best shown inFigure 10, is rigidly'attached to the shaft 248 between the pillowblocks 249. The member 25| is provided with a lerf 252 for receivingtherein an elongated horizontal lug 253, or the like, the latter beingspaced from and attached to the rear wall of the lamp-housing |69, bymeans of two spaced apart blocks 254, carrying the ends of the lug 253.Machine screws 255 secure the blocks 254 to the rear wall of thelamp-housing |69;

An aperture 255 is provided through the vertically disposed plate 235and between the blocks 259 to receive the cam 25| for permitting thelever 24T to move the lamp-housing with respect to the member 239.

A bumper, best shown in Figures l0 and 11, is provided for properlyspacing the plate 23|) from the face-plate 24| so as to maintain theglass |54 horizontal during operation. The bumper may be in any desiredshape fullling the purpose and is shown as a horizontal bar 257 securedto the rearward side of the plate 23u by means of bolts box -160 to theface-plate 241. Other releasable clamping or locking means may obviouslybe'used in place of the bolts 259.

The posts 246 are mounted at their lower ends on other suitablehorizontally disposed angle irons 260 and-the horizontal sides of thelatter are secured by means of suitable bolts 262, to theE upper side ofthe platform I0.

As best shown inA Figure 4, the plate 243 extends sideways of themachine and is braced by two vertically disposed brace plates 263attached at right angles to each side of the plate 246. A standard 210is attached to the rearward side of the plate 246 by means of suitablebolts 212. The standard 210 is vertically disposed and is pivotallyconnected at its upper end by means of a pin 214 with a latch arm 216,which is provided with a horizontal opening therethrough at its rearwardend for receiving the bolt 214 and with a protruding catch portion 280at its forward end, as shown in Figure 3, for engaging a suitable hook282, which latter is secured to the forward side of the lamp-box 160.

The hook 282 is of rectangular shape in side elevation, as best shown inFigure l, and is provided with a forwardly and downwardly inclined lowerside for engaging cooperatively with that side of the end portion 288,which is disposed toward the pivot pin 214, the said side being inclineddownwardly and toward the pin 214, at times when the arm 216 is in ahorizontal position as shown in Figure 3.

The purpose of the latch arm 216 is for maintaining the lamp-housing orbox 160 in a horizontal position as shown in dotted lines at 284 inFigure 3 for rendering the under surface of the housing |60 accessibleto the operator as later described by swinging the housing 160 in thepillow blocks 238 by means of a handle 283 which is secured to theforward wall of the lamp box 160 by bolts 281.

The rectangular frame 244 serves the further; purpose of supporting apump 360 and a motor 302, which latter are mounted on two spaced aparttransverse supports 304 and 306 respectively, the latter being suitablysecured to the frame 244. The motor 302 is disposed in spaced apartparallelism with the pump 300 and is drivably connected therewith bymeans of a suitable belt 308 and pulleys 310 and 312.

The outlet side of the pump 300 is in communication with a hose 314 andthe latter interconnects the pump 300 to one end of a Vacuum tank 316.The latter is mounted on the platform at the rearward end thereof and isprovided with two inlet ports 318 and 320 spaced from the outlet ports322 to which the hose 314 is coupled.

The inlet port 320, which is adjacent the center of the tank 316, is incommunication with a suitable hose 324 and the latter extendsupwardlytoward a valve 326, the latter being provided with a suitableoperating handle 328. The valve 326 is for the purpose of opening andclosing the line between the hose 324 and a vertically extending hose329,. The latter is secured at one end to the valve 326 by suitablecouplings33ii and 332 at the outer end to a T-coupling 340.

The T-coupling 340 is attached to two oppositely extending vacuum hoses112, which are in communication with the vacuum channel 166 aspreviously described.

The end coupling 318 is attached by means of the hose 360 to thehand-valve 151 for controlling the vacuum in the lower vacuum channel141.

The invention further includes a punching device generally indicated at400, best shown in Figures 14 to 16. The latter is mounted upon a box402, inside of which a source of light, preferably a bulb 404,` ismounted in a socket 406. The latter is in turn secured to the bottom ofthe box 400 by screws 408.

An electrical cord 410 extends from the socket 406 through an aperturein a side of the box, the

terminals 412 of the cord 410 are in communication with a suitablesource of electrical energy, not shown. An annular insulator 414 isprovided between the cord 410 and the walls of the cord aperture. Y

At the top of the box 402, a rectangular rim 416 is provided, the latterhaving a main body portion 410 of larger perimeter than the sides of thebox 402 for resting on the top of the latter, and also having adownwardly protruding rectangular flange portion 420 of slightly lesserperimeter than the sides of the box 402 for reception therein.

A horizontal plate 430 of translucent material, preferably plastic orglass, is disposed upon the top of the rim 416, the plate 430 having thesame outer dimensions as the rim 416.

Two round apertures 432 are provided in the plate 430 for thepurpose ofreceiving later described punches. The sidewalls of each of theapertures 432 are preferably lined with a suitable metallic lining 434for providing an upper cutting surface for cooperation with saidpunches.

The purpose of the plate 430 is to support a piece of film or otherphotographic material 436, usually a negative, during punching thereof.The plate 430 is provided with indicia therein or thereon forcooperation with other marks or indicia on the material 436 tofacilitate the alignment of the image on the latter with respect to theapertures 432 for accurate punching of holes. Such indicia arepreferably in the form of cross hairs 440 disposed at a right angle toeach other and in parallelism with the respective sides of the rim 416.

Other indicia such as two or more dots, for registry with correspondingdots on the negative, could be used in place of the cross hairs 440.

The plate 430 is secured to the rim 416, by screws 433 extending throughapertures in the former, the screws being threadedly received in the rim416.

A common punch and mallet may be used to punch holes in the negative436. A permanently attached punching mechanism is preferred, however.The latter includes two bars 442 pivotally attached at their centers toopposite sides of the rim 416 by means of pins 444.

A pair of horizontally disposed punch-holding anges 445 are attached,one each, to the bars 442 by means of bolts 446. The undersides of theflanges 445 are flat and are provided with punches 448 secured thereinat a right angle to the flat underside of the anges 445. The punches 448are of proper size and in proper position for reception in the apertures432.

A handle 450 in the form of a flat plate extends 'between and isattached to the rearward ends of the bars 452 by means of screws 454.

In operation, a sheet of negative photographic material 436 having animage thereon, is placed upon the plastic plate 430 of the punch box400.

placed with respect to the image, are caused to register with thecross-hairs 440, and at a time 1'3 when the bars 442 and the punches 44Sare in an unwardly tilted position as illustrated in Figure 1 Theoperator will then grip the handle '-559 and tilt the same forwardcausing the punches 44S to punch holes in the negative e36 incooperation with the metal lining 434 of the apertures 432. The punches448 are then returned to the position shown in Figure 16 and thenegative S35 is removed.

'Ihe latter is then placed against the glass plate |54 of the upperholder of the lamp-box |66 at a time when the latter is held in ahorizontal position by the latch arm 216 as illustrated in broken linesat 284 in Figure 3. The pins or pegs are then inserted through theapertures thus formed in the negative and into apertures in the rim |52,and at a time when the valve 325 is closed.

The valve 325 is then opened for permitting the'vacuum tank 3|@ to drawa vacuum upon the negative plate |53 through the channels |56. The pins|15 may then be removed from the supporting rim |62 and as long as thevalve 326 remains open, the vacuum will cause the negative |53 to adhereto the glass |54.

A piece of positive photographic material, not shown, may then be placedupon the lower holder or platform 28. Such positive material will be ofa larger size than the negative |53 and of a size correspondingsubstantially to the outer dimensions of the platform 23. The valve |52may then be opened for causing the` vacuumV tank 3|6 to draw a vacuumupon the positive plate through the channel itil for holding thepositive plate securely in place upon the platform 28. The lamp-box |63is then released from` the latch arm 276 and permitted to pivot into avertical position.

The detents 66 and |30 are then caused to be properly spaced apart upontheir respective guide rods 44 and |20. This is accomplished byselecting suitable accurately dimensioned spacing blocks, not shown,from a rack near the machine, placing desired ones of the blocks betweensuccessive detents Se and I3@ to measure the spacing of the latter, andby tig tening the screws 'i'for rigidly securing the detents and |38 indesired positions with respect to each other.

The platform or lower holder 28 is then placed in a desired positionwith respect to the upper holder |56 by sliding the latterlongitudinally and transversely upon the respective tracks or rails IAand |8 until the locking dog arms l lo and |32 are positioned so thattheir tabs will be in registry with the opposing walls 82 and 84 of thenibs 8i! of the detents 5S and 36.

Excessive travel of the wheels 25, |53 and 42 along their respectiverails itl and it is prevented by stop-pins 448 and d, having shoulders452 and 454 which latter are secured in suitable apertures in the endsof at least one rail of each of the pairs of rails i4 and I8.

The locking dog arms Ht and |32 are then urged downwardly againstselected ones of the detents 56 and |38. In such position, the springs|06 will cause the locking dog arms to remain in tight engagement withthe detents, as previously described. At such times the locking dog armsand detents and associated parts are in the position illustrated inFigure 8.

The operator will then lower the upper holder by pulling forwardly onthe lever 2M, rotating the cam 25| in a clock-wise direction as shown inFigure 10 for pushing downwardly upon the light cannot enter between themarginal edges.

thereof, despite the variances in the thicknesses of the positive andnegative plates and other possible machinery defects.

The light bulbs 206 and 2| 6 are then caused Y to be lit for a desiredperiod of time, usually.y

through the use of a timing switch, not shown,

Light from the various bulbs 206 and 2|6 is` caused to be relativelyevenly dispersed across the negative lm |53 through the action of the.

frosted glass plate 204.

When the positive plate has been exposed a proper length of time theoperator will then swing the lever 241 upwardly and rearwardly forcausing the lamp box |60 to be verticallyA disposed away from the lowerholder 28. At this time, the operator will again shift the lower holder28 transversely or longitudinally as is desired for placing the lockingdog arms H0- and |32 in engagement with other desired detentsV 65 or|30. During these motions, the locking dog arms ||0 and |32 will bemaintained in an upward position, out of engagement withv the detent |36and detents 66 through the action of the springs |56 andthe lower holder28 will move in a parallel plane with respect to the` underside |54 ofthe upper holder. The locking` og arms H0 and |32 may then again belowered into engagement with other selected detents in their respectiverows.

The lever 24? may then be pulled forwardly and downwardly for bringingthe negative iilm 53 into engagement with a different portionof thepositive material on the lower holder 28 and the exposure step may berepeated. Successive: shiftings of the lower holder with respect to theupper holder |56 and successive exposure steps as described, will causethe positive image receiving material to become exposed with the imagerepresented on the negative film in a plurality of accurately spacedpositions, so that? waste will be'avoided and operating'time will be"saved. The positive and negative` plates mayH then be released fromtheir respective holders by closing the vacuum valves |5| and 326're'-spectively.

This invention provides a contact printing machine for accuratelyreproducing a single imagev or group of images from image-bearingprinting material into a plurality of accurately spaced positions onimage-receiving printing material, in a manner whereby waste iseliminated and operating time conserved and by means of whichphotographic plates may be attached thereto in a. more facile mannerthan heretofore; and this invention further provides a negative platepunching device for accurately punching alignment holes.

It will be seen that in lieu of the lm |53, any image-bearing printingmaterial can be used, for example, a metallic printing plate. In the useof the latter, of course, the lights 206 and Zit will have no effect.Also, any cooperative image receiving material can be placed oppositethe image-bearing material |53. The terms positive and negative usedthroughout are relative and either may be referred to as the positive orl5. the negative material, the lights and shades in each being reversedwith respect to the lights and shades of the other.

We claim:

1. A contact printing machine comprising a horizontally disposed bed ona mounting frame, spaced transversely disposed parallel rails mounted inthe frame, supporting brackets mounted to travel on the said transverserails, spaced longitudinally disposed parallel tracks carried by saidsupporting brackets, a nlm holder platform mounted to travel on the saidlongitudinal tracks, a rectangular shape lamp housing positioned abovethe said platform, means mounting the lamp housing for vertical travelon the frame and also for vertical travel in relation to the saidplatform, a shaft having a cam and also a hand lever thereon journaledon the frame, a lug carried by the lamp housing and positioned to coactwith the cam for elevating the said lamp housing, a translucent platemounted in thelcwer end of the said lamp housing, means retaining a lmagainst the said translucent plate on the lower end of the lamp housing,means pivotally mounting the lamp housing through the upper end thereofon the said frame, whereby the lamp housing is operative from a verticalto a horizontal position, and means for actuating the said lamp housingfrom the vertical to a horizontal position.

2. A contact printing machine comprising a horizontally disposed bed ona mounting frame, spaced transversely disposed parallel rails mounted intheA frame, supporting brackets mounted to travel on the said transverserails, spaced longitudinally disposed parallel tracks carried by saidsupporting brackets, a lm holder 'platform mounted to travel on the'saidlongitudinal tracks, a rectangular shape lamp housing positioned abovethe said platform, means mounting the lamp housing for vertical travelon the frame and also for vertical travel in relation to the saidplatform, a shaft having a cam and also a hand lever thereon journaledon the frame, aulug carried by the lamp housing and positioned to coactwith the cam for elevating the said lamp housing, a translucent platemounted in the lower end of the said lamp housing, means retaining a:6.1m against the said translucent plate on the lower end of the lamphousing, means pivotally mounting the lamp housing through the upper endthereof on the said frame, whereby the lamp housing is operative from avertical to a horizontal position, means for actuating the said lamphousing from the vertical to a horizontal position, and positioningmeans for locating the platform in printing positions transversely andalso longitudinally of the mounting frame.

I6' 3. A contact printing machine comprising a horizontally disposed bedon a mounting frame,

spaced transversely disposed parallel rails mount* ed in the frame,supporting brackets mounted to travel on the said transverse rails,spaced longitudinally disposed parallel tracks carried by saidsupporting brackets, a film holder platform mounted to travel on thesaid longitudinal tracks, a rectangular shape lamp housing positionedabove the said platform, means mounting the lamp housing for verticaltravel on the frame and also for vertical travel in relation to the saidplatform, a shaft having a cam and also a hand lever thereon journaledon the frame, a lug carried by the lamp housing and positioned to coactwith the cam for elevating the said lamp housing, a translucent platemounted in the lower end of the said lamp housing, means retaining afilm against the said translucent plate on the lower end of the lamphousing, means positioning films and the like on the light housing andplatform, means pivotally mounting the lamp housing through the upperend thereof on the said frame, whereby the lamp housing is operativefrom a vertical to a horizontal position, and means for actuating thesaid lamp housing from the vertical to a horizontal position. v

HERMAN H. HILLMER.

HENRY P. ORENT.

' REFERENCES CITED The -following references are of record in the le ofthis patent:

IUNlIED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 954,290 Huebner Apr. 5, 19101,137,454 Bowser Apr. 27, 1915 1,471,672 Wehrli Oct. 23,1923 1,750,294Bassist Mar. 11, 1930 1,784,206 Snyder Dec. 9, 1930 1,787,662 BoedickerJan. 6, 1931 1,813,689 Weisker July 7, 1931 2,049,557 Cooper et al Aug.4, 1936 2,169,891 Beal et al Aug. 15,` 1939 2,200,365 Nickelsberg May14, 1940 2,210,726 Mazzocco Aug. 6, 1940 2,237,704 Huebner Apr. 8, 19412,418,226 Hal Apr. 1, 1947 2,421,500 Hai June 3, 1947 2,451,730 GreenleeOct. 19, 1948 FOREIGN PATENTS Number Country Date 173,116 Great BritainDec. 29, 1921 528,088 Germany June 25, 1931 596,361 Germany May 3, 1934695,799 Germany Sept. 3, 1940

